A couple of weeks ago we decided we needed a little vacation plus it was a perfect excuse for an early anniversary celebration. We had a gift certificate to a Missouri Bed & Breakfast so decided a trip to Hermann to sample some wine, eat German food and ride our bikes on the Katy Trail was just the thing.
I dutifully researched the B&Bs in Hermann and was able to get reservations at Captain Wohlt Inn for a few days. Of course the day we made these plans was one of those gorgeous warm and sunny October days and the thought of cold rain was the farthest thing from our minds.
Fast forward to yesterday when we left Springfield to head east in cold rain! The bikes were safe and dry on the bike rack inside the covered truck bed and we figured the rain couldn’t last too long.
Right?
Wrong.
Since the Katy Trail was definitely off the list for yesterday we did the cellar tour and wine tasting at Stone Hill Winery. (NOTE: Photos will follow later – I forgot the cord to download them to the laptop.) The cellars were dug out by the Germans in the mid-1800′s and are still in use even though the ceilings are almost completely covered in black mold. Wonder if OSHA has seen these conditions!
Our guide gave a very detailed tour and then it was one to the tasting room where we were able to sample over 20 wines. We both liked the semi-dry red Hermannsberger and Burl liked the port so we bought a bottle of each. We also got a chance to look at their restaurant menu so it was a no-brainer to eat there last night given their selection of German foods.
Burl had never eaten there before and for me The Vintage Restaurant at Stone Hill Winery held a beautiful bittersweet memory. This was one of my mother’s favorite restaurants and it was there in April 1997 that I had my last meal with both of my parents. I remember we sat in one of the horse stall booths and I also remember wondering how much longer I would have them with me.
The restaurant is actually in the converted carriage house so when I mention the horse stall booths, that’s exactly what they were. The sides of the stalls are still there along with the chutes where the hay was dropped and the grain bins. Of course they have been properly mucked out and a tad bit of redecorating done since then!
We both chose the German sampler platter which included schnitzel, sauerbrauten and knacktwurst along with a salad and two sides – I opted for the spatzle and a potato pancake. Of course we had to have wine and we picked the Steinberg Red and made sure we didn’t need a “to go” bag for it!
This morning the rain had intensified and the temp was still hovering in the upper 40s so again, the Katy Trail was out. After a hearty breakfast at the B&B we followed Highway 100 east to Washington, got on I-44 and ended up at Mid Rivers Mall near St. Peters. The mall was absolutely dead – we didn’t care for any of the 14 movies playing at the cineplex – and mall shopping is pretty far down on our entertainment level. So – back in the truck, more driving around in the rain (on I-70 now) and finally back to Hermann and more wine tasting!
We tasted at Adam Puchta Winery and Hermanhoff Winery – then got distracted with ice cream and totally forgot to tour the Tin Mill Brewery and sample some beer. Need to put that on tomorrow’s list!
A quick stop at the visitor center gave us a list of all the restaurants in town which fell into a few categories – nice places that are closed on Monday and Tuesdays, smokey bars, fast food, cafes that close at 2 p.m. and The Vintage Restaurant at Stone HIll.
Nothing like a re-run of a great place! Tonight we both went with the schnitzel and paired it with the Hermannsbergers – but brought half a bottle home with us.
We’re doing a “sun dance” tonight to call forth the rays of sun to dry off the Katy Trail tomorrow so the bikes can get out and play. If that fails, we’ll be heading home!
The B&B has been another experience – we are the only guests they have and are thinking the innkeepers would probably have enjoyed a few days of total vacancy instead of having to fix breakfast for us. They wanted to serve us at 9 today and we talked them into 8:30 - only to discover that their angst was over the fact that the stock market opens at 8:30 and he likes to day trade!
Well excuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me!
Tomorrow they want to go to St. Louis for the day so we get to eat at 8 – hope they appreciate how accommodating we are!!!
But we are staying in a historic home and it sure beats Holiday Inn Express seven ways to sundown.
The weather tomorrow will tell our fate – we either get to ride our bikes or we head for home earlier than planned.
Stay tuned…………..
Sounds like you are having a good getaway. Philip and I ate that the Stone Hill restaurant for our 5th Anniversary many moons ago. Safe trip!
How fun… that is right near my hometown, and we celebrated my dad’s 30th anniversary with his law firm there a few years ago, at the Adam Puchta winery. Have fun, and stay dry. Weather in Springpatch today is FINALLY sunny!
Hey Anne -
Funny that you visited the Mid Rivers Mall… that’s about two miles from my Mom… and yes it is a dead mall. When I was in high school… it was just a Famous Barr… standing by itself in a field… with the promise of a mall to come. Took them about 10 years to build the rest. A disappointing mall for sure.